World Cup 2014: England Players To Sing National Anthem

England's footballers have often been criticised for not singing God Save The Queen with as much passion as their compatriots in other sports, especially rugby.

Wayne Rooney did not sing the national anthem at the start of his England career while Gary Neville, now an England coach, refused to join in as he said he preferred "focusing on the match" instead.

England's players line up for the national anthem against Peru on Friday

But Hodgson, who is two years into his reign as England boss, is adamant his England team should sing prior to kick-off.

"You very rarely play an international match against opponents and they haven't got their hands on their hearts and singing their anthem as loud as they can," the England manager said, "and we've made a decision that that's what we're going to do, too because we are proud, we are happy to be wearing that England shirt.

"We have been doing it for two years. We are proud to be England players, and in my case, England manager, so when the national anthem comes up it's an obvious one for me that we sing it."

Hodgson's 23-man World Cup squad contains 12 players who were not part of his Euro 2012 party, and he will issue a reminder they must sing the song this summer.

"Perhaps we need to remind them as the squad has changed so much," the 66-year-old said. "I hope they will.

"I think we're great until the second verse comes along because we don't really know that."